62 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



ing water which is warmer in summer, and colder in win- 

 ter, than water taken from a pump; washing the belly with 

 cold water ; driving horses into a pond of cold water. 



Treatment Give something to heat the stomach and 

 bowels. Try a bottle of warm ale or porter, adding a 

 little whiskey, or a tablespoonful of ground ginger to it. 

 If relief be not obtained in half an hour, give a drench, 

 composed of tincture of aconite root, twenty-five drops ; 

 spirit of turpentine, one ounce ; one bottle of cold ale or 

 porter. If necessary, give injections of warm water, (not 

 hot,) soap, and a handful of table salt. Occasionally walk 

 the horse about, to excite the bowels to action. 



(2.) Stercoral Colic. — Symptoms. Similar to the above 

 variety, but continues longer, and is not quite so severe or 

 painful. 



Causes. Impaction or constipation of the bowels. 



Treatment. Powdered aloes, one ounce ; tincture of aconite 

 root, twenty-five drops ; chloroform, half an ounce. ^lix 

 in a bottle of ale or porter, and give in a drench out of a 

 horn, or stout bottle. The aconite will have to be given 

 every four hours, till the pain has given Avay. Encourage 

 the operation of the aloes by injections every hour. 



(3.) Flatulent Colic. — Symptoms. Pain is consider- 

 able at first, which in a few hours gives way to sleepiness, 

 (see Coma.) This is caused by distention of the bowels 

 with gas, commonly called wind, thereby paralyzing the par 

 vagus and nerve centres, and ultimately the brain itself. 

 This variety of colic is readily distinguished from the others 

 by the swelling of the belly, particularly at the flanks, 

 called tympanitis, or drum-belly. 



Causes. Indigestion of food in the stomach ; fermenta- 

 tion is set up, and there is evolution (giving forth) of car- 

 bonic acid gas. This gas is not liberated per rectum frcra 



